Joanne Scarcella Clemente Ph.D. ’63 at training session.

A Publication for the Alumnae, Parents and Friends of St. Catharine Academy July 2014PATHWAYS

oanne Scarcella Clemente, Ph.D. ’63 is bringing change to Uganda through technology. As Director of Online Learning at Dominican College, Joanne knows the importance of technology. Five years ago, she received

an email about a teaching program in Africa, which brought American teachers to Africa to share their expertise with teachers there. Intrigued, Joanne joined the project and has been going back every summer.

That first trip inspired Joanne to create Ventures for Good Foundation, a not for profit bringing technology and educa-tors to Uganda to broaden the way children learn. The web-site says, “While a primary school education is mandated in Uganda, a high school education is not…. Girls are especially impacted as many are exploited and pregnant by the time they reach eighth grade. We would like to offer these girls an option to pursue a career.”

The teachers and volunteers who travel to Uganda raise their own funds. Venture for Good also requests technol-ogy donations.

During her first trip, Joanne worked with a team of teachers, which taught other teachers how to use 21st cen-tury technology. Those teachers then shared that knowl-edge with their own students. This past spring Joanne’s team included her granddaughter and a graduate student from Hobart University.

Currently working with five locations, Joanne plans a permanent center for educating youngsters with technology. Fundraising is expanding beyond family and friends and the Dominican College community. They are taking advantage of the online indigogo.

Joanne points to St. Catharine’s as a major influence. A biology major at Hunter College, she chose her major because of Sr. Peggy Costa. Sr. Peggy is still a major influ-ence, finding a donor for the Uganda project.

Joanne began with computers in their infancy at IBM. After taking a career break to raise her children, she taught computer programming and video production. Joanne also earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in instructional technology from Columbia.

“Computers were coming into existence when I gradu-ated. What is in the palm of my hand is more powerful than what took up a whole room then. I am always learning something new. I ask myself, ‘What else can I do with what I know?’”

That question is how she found herself in Uganda with a five-year plan. “I see I am just now breaking the ice. I am a mother of five and grandmother of 12. Now that my kids are grown, I have the time.”

Ventures for Good enables her to help other teachers bring their expertise and technology to Uganda. Programs include sharing frequent flyer miles to help teachers travel; as well as a program, Give Girls a Chance, targeted toward educating young Ugandan women to protect them from exploitation.

Joanne knows how wonderful it can be to be a young girl when you receive a positive education. Recalling her days as a cheerleader and performer at St. Catharine’s, Joanne said, “They were some of the best years of my life. I loved that it was an all girls school. I think we got an excellent education.”v

Alumna brings the world to Uganda with technologyPatrice Athanasidy

Can you think of other Women of Distinction?

J

See nomination packet enclosed

2 Pathways • July 2014

MESSAGE from

the PRESIDENT

s we bring this academic year to a close marked by our 125th graduation, and the graduation of 173 Catharinites, I want to take this opportunity

to share the accomplishments of the year and to forecast our aspirations for 2014-2015 with you.

Every day St. Catharine Academy strives to make each of our students the best person she can be: spiritu-ally, morally, academically, socially, and emotionally. We want our graduates to make a difference and to make their unique contribution to the world. In their own way we want them to be a source of inspiration.

Many in the Class of 2014 are already on their way. I have been inspired by the force of their academic am-bition which has been rewarded with more than $11.1 million in academic scholarships and grants this year alone. They have been accepted into such prestigious

universities and colleges as the University of Pennsylva-nia, the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, CCNY, the Grove School of Engineering, CCNY, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Fordham Universi-ty, NYU, Manhattan College and Stony Brook University, SUNY.

I have been inspired by their sense of compassion and justice. Our award-winning “News and Views” team, led by seniors, produced a twenty-minute program on the well- publicized issue of wrongful convictions. Titled “Unjust Cuffs: Innocent Behind Bars”, their research ranged from meeting with a judge who overturned wrongful convic-tions to interviewing princi-pals of the renowned Inno-

cence Project. You will read more about their work on page 6 of this Pathways edition.

Our lead article features Joanne Scarcella Clemente ’63 whose own life exemplifies a serious commitment to learning and service. She credits SCA with motivating her to embark on a career in the sciences and a deep sense of service. Our graduates are drinking from the same well. May they live their lives with the earnestness of purpose and warm compassion so evident in Joanne.

Preparing for the 125th

The anniversary is upon us! By the time you receive Pathways you should have received your invitation to the opening Mass and reception on September 13, 2014 at St. Catharine Academy. Please do come! If you like to sing, join the choir. If you volunteer your name will be referred to Sr. Rhea Bean, former SCA President who is coordinating the liturgy.

And please do mark your calendar for our anniversary gala on April 23, 2015 at the Glen Isle Harbour Club. It is an opportunity to honor our alumnae, living and de-ceased, with Women of Distinction Awards. Enclosed is the nomination packet. Take a moment to consider the alumnae you know whose lives embody the described criteria. Take time to nominate them and encourage your friends to do the same.

All of the events reflect the dedication and hard work of the 125th Anniversary Committee. Without them, nothing would be possible. To learn more about why they serve on the committee, please visit our newly ren-ovated website, www.scahs.org.

As I look back on this year and ahead to the next, I am fully aware that the successes we experienced as well as our plans for 2014-2015 are made possible by God’s grace and because of the treasured support of our alum-nae and friends. To one and all I am immensely grateful.

Have a safe and restful summer. I look forward to see-ing you in September. v

SCA’s 125th Graduating Class—As Inspiring As Ever!Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ’62

St. Catharine Academy2250 Williamsbridge Road

Bronx, NY 10469-4891

Cc

Phone: 718-882-2882Fax: 718-231-9099

www.scahs.org

Cc

Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62President

Sr. Ann M. Welch, RSMPrincipal

Angela CabassaDirector, Alumnae Relations

Cathy BostleyDatabase Manager

Patrice AthanasidyMarketing Consultant

Cc

Contributing Writers:

Patrice Athanasidy

Angela Cabassa

Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ’62

A

125thGraduating Class

July 2014 • Pathways 3

Sr. Patricia Wolf presents the Catharinite Award to Joanna Abaraoha.

Nicolette Cibelli receives her diploma from Sr. Ann M. Welch, RSM.

Sr. Ann M. Welch, RSM giving Ashlica Malcolm her diploma.

2014

GRADUATION

2014GraduationNicolette Cibelli and her

grandmother Ann Iannotti Cibelli ‘59.Nicolette Cibelli with her aunt,

Erica Bengston Pietroluongo ‘88.Maria Healy and mom

Concetta Criscuolo Healy ‘89.Julia Romero and

her sister Silvia Romero ‘00.

Damilek Bautista and sister Desiree Bautista ‘10.

4 Pathways • July 2014

Amanda Ayala and her sister Linda Ayala ‘92.

Elisa Kolaj with her cousin Sidorela Gjoni ‘12.

Lauren Negron and her sister Tyler Negron ‘10.

L to R: Sister Ashley Indiviglio ‘09, Megan Indiviglio and

mom Maria Perri Indiviglio ‘78.

Michelle Antico with her sisters Lori Antico Drescall ‘03 (L)

and Christina Antico ‘05 (R).

Linda Pekic with her mom Lilyanna Popovic Pekic ‘82 (L) and sister Pauline Pekic ‘08.

Crystal Flores (c) with her aunt Kimberly Laureano ‘01 (L) and sister-

in-law Jeanette Mendoza ‘02 (R).

Graduation

July 2014 • Pathways 5

Iliana Alvarado with her mother Marilyn Vidro Alvarado ’85 (R) and godmother

Jacqueline Rivera Jimenez ’85 (L).

Minerva Cano with her sister Juline Cano ‘13.

Vanessa Battista with her sister Daniella Battista ‘10 (L) and

mom Juliana Greco Battista ‘80 (R).

Amanda Mondelli and her godmother Stephanie Clewell ‘97.

Christina LaStarza and her sister Alyssa LaStarza ‘11.

Sabrina Venegas Suazo with sister Sophia Venegas Suazo ‘13.

Jacqueline Figueroa and her sister Rosalinda Figueroa ‘98.

Sarah O’Farrill and sister Ariel O’Farrill ‘08.

Juliette Staple with sister Christina Drummond ‘04.

The Reda sisters (L To R) Fadia ‘11, Rima ‘14, Fatima ‘07

and Samira ‘12.

Jacklyn Borja with her aunt Elizabeth Averos ‘02.

Kaila Quinones and her aunt Cindy Montanez ‘00.

Priscilla Cruz with sister Angelica Cruz ‘07.

Desirae Pena and mother Maria Chico ‘95.

Brittany Nieves and cousin Diana Diaz ‘84.

Tara Bellaby with her mom Donna Sicilia Bellaby ‘86.

Joanna Abaraoha with her sister Chinwe Abaraoha ‘13.

Kelsey Columna and sister Kristi Columna ‘07.

Adriana Lopez with her cousin Doris Reyes ‘13.

SCA

AROUND

SCA

6 Pathways • July 2014

St. Catharine Academy continued its strong showing at the 41st Annual Eddy Awards, taking four awards for its News and Views program, including Best News team. The ceremony was held at the New York Archdiocese Instruc-tional Television (ITV) Studio at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY, on May 16.

The news team worked together on research and de-veloping the concept for this year’s 20-minute news show, “Unjust Cuffs: Innocent Behind Bars.” Their program concentrated on people who are convicted of crimes but proven innocent by DNA evidence.

The ITV production serves as the core project of the Communications Arts II class taught by Roseanne Riolo, who also serves as moderator of the news team. They have taken home an Eddy every year she has been moderator. Ms. Riolo explained how the Mercy Core Values are used as a focus during those first class sessions.

“The students brainstorm topics that relate to the Core Values and that are current news issues. Some students even bring personal stories to the table that coincide with current news issues,” she said. “This year, we had a discus-sion on child brides, environmental crises, the death pen-alty, and prison conditions. One thing led to another and voila-- unjust incarceration!”

The students learned about the Innocence Project in New York City and met with the key people. They interviewed Karen Newirth, JD. Ms. Riolo said, “The research brought to light how the exoneration process works, how families and exonerees deal with integrating back into society, and the vast number of people behind bars who are innocent.”

The winning news team included: Francesca DiMarco, grade 11 (anchor); Kameria Morris, grade 10 (anchor); Melody Pujols, grade 11 (feature); Sarah Gilliland, grade 11 (interview); Katherine Nunez, grade 12 (interview); Connie Lovera grade 12 (editorial); Anita Parker, grade 10 (research); Gabrielle Iglesias, grade 10 (research); Julia Colthirst, grade 10 (research); and Jaquira Trues-dale, grade 10 (research). Individual Eddys were awarded to Yei Mansuo for Photo Essay and Sarah Gilliland and Katherine Nunez for Interview.

WNYW-Fox 5 meteorologist Nick Gregory, who served as the master of ceremonies this year, is a past Eddy recipient from Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle.

The members of the news team pointed to the opportu-nities this communications class and news program gave

them to go outside their comfort zone and gain confidence. Senior Connie Lovera said, “The News and Views experi-ence has made me much stronger than I was before. It gave me a sense of bonding with my teammates.”

Lovera explained that before News and Views, she would often become anxious and begin shaking before she presented in front of a group. “My mentor helped me gain more courage. Ms. Riolo taught me criticism is meant to help, not put people down.”

Kameria Morris, a sophomore, added, “It made me feel accomplished” as she described feeling more confident in front of the camera.

Julia Colthirst, also a sophomore, said, “It helped me to be open in front of other people and not be shy.”

Sophomore Anita Parker called the Eddys “a big mile-stone.” She said it helped her with many different things including gaining confidence, learning how to work with a team, and giving her the opportunity to research interest-ing topics.

The students on the team pointed to character quali-ties, which the News and Views experience strengthened. Gabrielle Iglesias, sophomore, said, “News and Views taught me not to be afraid to say what is on my mind.”

When thinking about the honors they received Yei Mansuo said, “It was an amazing experience. I really hope I can do it again.”

Jaquira Truesdale, summed up the team’s emotions, saying, “I’m really out of words. My team and I are very grateful. It was a great experience.” v

SCA unlocks winning formula at this year’s Eddy AwardsPatrice Athanasidy

The News and Views team with Karen Newirth of the Innocence Project.

NOTES

July 2014 • Pathways 7

CLASS

NOTES

IN MEMORIAM

Rose Hitchman Leonard ’26 passed away May 11, 2013

at the age of 104. She is the last of the four Hitchman sisters,

all SCA Alumnae, and a grand niece of Sr. Mercedes Hitchman, RSM who

wrote the St. Catharine Academy school song. Rose is the aunt

of Regina Frey Schultz ’60.

Mary Pearsall Dawson ’41 December 29, 2013

Margaret Crowley Haggerty ’59 February 14, 2014

Maria Selca-Maher ’90 passed away June 16, 2014,

shortly after giving birth to twins, Sienna and Benjamin.

For more information on how to help the family, please log on to

http://www.gofundme.com/aeiao4.

Theodore Mundy January 16, 2014

Husband of Patricia Cummings Mundy ’62

Dr. Dom Balducci February 23, 2014

Father of Donna Balducci Hughes ’70

Helen Matos February 18, 2014

Sister of Jennifer Tagliaferro Herencia ’89

A Word from our Alumnae

Joanna Abaraoha writes, “I do not know exactly how to feel about leaving St. Catharine’s but I do know for sure that I am extremely grateful. I am grateful to St. Catharine’s and it’s beau-tiful faculty, staff and students for always being such an amaz-ing support system and helping me grow and flourish into an empowered young woman. I know that as I enter the Sophie Davis School for Biomedical Education that my time at SCA has sufficiently prepared me for the new challenges that I will face. I love St. Catharine Academy and hope that I will one day be able to give back to the school for all she has done for me.”

Elisa and Leanna Bonanno For Mom, Dad and Grandma – “Thank you for everything you have done for us for the past four years. Without your support, we would not be graduating! We love you so much. Through the rough times, when we were about to give up, you all were always there to support us and encour-age us to keep going on. This is why mom, dad and grandma, you are our pillars. Love always.”

Class notes from Class 2014

“One of the greatest benefits of having been to an all girls school is that it gives you a subtle but important edge. You have been in an environment that supports whatever you want to do – hold a Student Government office, be an athlete, be active in a club, ace chemistry or math – without for a moment thinking I can’t do that because I am a girl. Carry that sense of equal opportunity with you into col-lege and the workforce and you will be unstoppable.”

Geri Moran, Class of 1965

“What I learned at my time at SCA, about being strong, I came out of my shell and gained many life-long friends. You try things and go for your goals as you continue to grow. Twenty-six years later I still have my SCA sisters and have gone a long way with learning bumps along the way. Remember the motto and nothing will let you down.”Stephanie O’Neill Snow, Class of 1988

“Each one of you has special talents and abilities. Trust your instincts and have faith in yourself. Prepare yourself for life’s challenges. Take risks. Visualize your goals. Nurture the relationships you have built at St. Catharine Academy and sur-round yourself with positive people. Seek out a knowledgeable mentor to help you navigate the path to success. The best way to receive goodwill in your life is to bestow it upon others. Do not be afraid to take action!”

Sabrina Kizzie, MPA Author, Marketing/Social Media Speaker and Lecturer, Class of 1986

“Be who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire.”—St. Catharine of Siena. “God Bless all the students and graduates.”

Constance Perrella Healy, Class of 1953

Elisa and Leanna Bonanno

Joanna Abaraoha

p

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St. Catharine Academy2250 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10469-4891

www.scahs.org Join us

for the Opening Liturgy on

Saturday, September 13, 2014, 4 P.M.

School Auditorium

Followed by Reception

5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

For more information, contact cbostley@scahs.org

Calendar of Events

September 13, 2014Opening Liturgy at SCA

4 p.m., Bronx, NYWelcoming reception to follow

November 29, 2014Turkey Trot around SCA

Bronx, NY

Details to follow

March 21, 2015Makers: Women Who Make America Panel Discussion

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. SCA Auditorium, Bronx, NY

April 23, 2015Women of Distinction Gala Dinner,

6 p.m. Glen Island Harbour Club

New Rochelle, NY

September 13, 2015Closing Liturgy, St. Patrick’s Cathedral

2 p.m., New York, NY

Reception to follow